Omaha NE vs Syracuse NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 146,211 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 68.8% | 51.9% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 10.3% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $45,845 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $27,570 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 29.6% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 30.5% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 41.3% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 434 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 41.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.7% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 20.8% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.1% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 41.5 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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